How far could you go as a kid?

[jonleeds]

Eeeh! When I were a lad, back in the early 80s when I was around 8 years old my mates and I would venture as far as we could get as long as we could get back home for our teatime. We used to cycle from Morley into Leeds down Elland Road and after negotiating Armley gyratory we'd get to the Jolly Giant toy super store where we'd then run amok! Probably from the age of 5 years old I'd been venturing quite far from home, usually cos there would be a gang of us with some of my pals slightly older brothers and sisters leading us astray. We'd end up in Morley's market (when there were 2 of them) and I knew all the woods around that area like the back of my hand. I can remember another time when we'd made it into Lewis's in Leeds city centre and we were in the toy department, and we made a lego model of a skateboarder that stood about 2 foot high. The store manager was so pleased with it he let me and my chum choose a small lego toy as like a prize. Later on when I was about 12 - 13 and I'd got into skateboarding my skateboard crew and I used to travel all over the north of England seeking out the old 1970s concrete skateparks. Llanduno, Rhyl, and especially Southport were regular places we made vists to - all unaccompanied by parents. I can remember that to get to a lot of those places we'd get on the day trip coach outings organised by coach firms like 'Roys of Morley' and the majority of the coach party was old aged pensioners who made sure we didnt go hungry! Also we'd get the transpennine trains from Morley Low station to Manchester as at that time there were no proper skateboard shops in Leeds, we had to travel to Manchester to be able to buy proper skateboards from a place called Split Skates which was an absolute mecca for skaters from all over the north of England.I dont know if the internet / playstation etc is to blame, but I noticed that my younger brother (16 years younger) never really went out and about as much as I'd done, and whenever he or any of his mates went anywhere it was been ferried about by mum or dad, or maybe that was just him?

[Chiron]

chameleon wrote: 'Didn't the A64 between Tad and York have a dedicated cycle track in those days?'It certainly did Trojan, littered with stones bricks and fragments of glass from more broken car windows that I could imagine - guaranteed punctures every 10 yards. I was regularly pulled up by Mr Plod and 'recommended' to use the track; I recomended they got it servicable or expect to come back and give ma a lift home, complete with shredded tyres! In the early 60s we used to regularly cycle up the A1 to Topcliffe. I can't imagine cycling up the A1 today!! For long stretches it probably isn't allowed anyway. In the 60s it was pretty scary, I am sure that if my parents had realised how dangerous it was the trips would have been banned. After one particular trip to Topcliffe I remember cycling back through a number of country villages to York and then on the A64 back to Leeds. I didn't use the cycle track probably for the reason suggested by chameleon.

[jonleeds]

I can remember getting quite a long way on the bmx bike when we were nippers, I think the furthest we got along the Leeds - Liverpool canal was Skipton, then you realise you've got to go all the way back! One time my bikes pedal dropped off the bike so I had to virtually walk most of the way back home.Day-rovers were great as you could get a bus or train anywhere within the Metro West Yorkshire boundary and I think they use to cost about 75p or something very cheap at the time. We would get the train as far as Littleborough - which was just outside the West Yorkshire boundary, walk back down the Rochdale canal to Hebden Bridge, have a wander around the moors before getting the train back. I think they still do a version of the Metro Day Rover as a couple of years ago my wife, step-daughter and her friend plus myself got one to go for a day out somewhere. There is a family one which is very good value. I think that parents these days are too paranoid to let their kids play out any furthur than a few hundred yards from home or out of earshot. Ironic isnt it given that with this recent social networking scandal that kiddies are probably more at risk playing on the internet than going exploring the local woods / fields? When I was a kid in the eighties living in Morley there was the tragic case of Sarah Harper who was abducted by that monster who I wont name who was also responsible for the murders of several other children. Stuff like that was rare though and it didnt particularly worry us.

[stutterdog]

jonleeds wrote: I can remember getting quite a long way on the bmx bike when we were nippers, I think the furthest we got along the Leeds - Liverpool canal was Skipton, then you realise you've got to go all the way back! One time my bikes pedal dropped off the bike so I had to virtually walk most of the way back home.Day-rovers were great as you could get a bus or train anywhere within the Metro West Yorkshire boundary and I think they use to cost about 75p or something very cheap at the time. We would get the train as far as Littleborough - which was just outside the West Yorkshire boundary, walk back down the Rochdale canal to Hebden Bridge, have a wander around the moors before getting the train back. I think they still do a version of the Metro Day Rover as a couple of years ago my wife, step-daughter and her friend plus myself got one to go for a day out somewhere. There is a family one which is very good value. I think that parents these days are too paranoid to let their kids play out any furthur than a few hundred yards from home or out of earshot. Ironic isnt it given that with this recent social networking scandal that kiddies are probably more at risk playing on the internet than going exploring the local woods / fields? When I was a kid in the eighties living in Morley there was the tragic case of Sarah Harper who was abducted by that monster who I wont name who was also responsible for the murders of several other children. Stuff like that was rare though and it didnt particularly worry us. I was a 10yr old in 1952 and every week would catch the 86 bus on Hall Ln. Armley, to my Granny's house just off Hunslet Hall Rd. I would do her shopping for her most times.She gave me 9d(old pence).I would then catch the bus home.We were allowed quite a lot of freedom in those days and would play with the jail warders kids on the field in front of the main entance.I can't remember being threatened as would no doubt occur these days if walking through other areas.Although one Whit Sunday,remember them anyone! When you got your new Whitsy clothes!You were dressed head to foot in brand new shirt ,tie trousers(short ones!)suit jacket,socks and shoes from Sam Pecks on Hall Lane!You would then go round all your neighbours and they would give you a few coppers for your new clothes.I foolishly ,after visiting myGranny in Holbeck,walked round to lane End Place ,off Dewsbury Rd, and waited for the 46 bus home .the stop was right outside the Workhouse there and the scruffiest kids lived there.they saw me dressed up to the nines and surrounded me and demanded my money.My pockets were bulging with copper! so I gave them a handfull and ran off back to my Grans with about 10 of them in hot pursuit! Happy Days!

[somme1916]

When I was 6, I used to regularly get an LCT 2/20 from the terminus at the top of Dewsbury Rd down past the park and walk up to Cross Flatts Infants at the top end of the park,and in reverse going home.In summer,I would walk to Old Lane,turn left,go up to the Grovehalls and wend my way through the streets across Cross Flatts Grove/Ave before crossing the park.In winter of course,it was dark at 4pm.Aged 7/8 I could roam anywhere with a few mates and explore all the local fields/woods/streams etc around Tingley(sadly no more ! ).Same age,I would get a bus from Tingley down to Tommy Wass pub,then catch a 3,12,18 or 29 up past the water tower at Middleton to visit my gran on West Farm Ave.p.s. I didn't actually call in the pub lol.........

[keyholekate]

As a kid growing up in the 60's we used to go all over the place,even further if I was with my sister. My mother used to say "gerrout and play" if we stayed round the house too much.We lived in Cross Gates and I remember been very small and going to the feast on Station Road,we never had any money but we used to jump on the waltzers as it was slowing down.A bunch of us would often go to Tempsy. . boys and girls from our street. . almost all the boys had a penknife and would play at distance throwing them in the mud and carving trees.We knocked on doors and asked for a drink of water.Same at Roundy,often sneaking in to events and covered in sticky buds,we acted about in the boats,drank out of the fountain,fell in nettles and rubbed it better with a dock leaf.And walked all the way back through fields and woods and over main roads.Another place we walked to was Treats ice cream factory at Manston,someone always gave us broken lollies,we ate windfalls from peoples gardens on the way back too.The valley was another place to play,there were rope swings and hay dens and a horse even,the lads used to get on it,other kids were there too and someone would try to duff you up if you were a catlick and they were a proddy dog! We even used to to walk at the side of the railway to get blackberries. . its a wonder we are alive today.We went to the Olympics swimming,York Road baths before that.We played hide and seek in Asda's underground car park until my brother collapsed with carbon monoxide poisoning and got took off in an ambulance. Cross Gates library was nice and warm on winter nights,we even took our shoes off and put them by the fire.We slid about the shiny floors . My brothers used to go miles on their bikes and to Elland Road to pay on the gate.They went pea pickin with "fat Harry"as everyone called him in charge and hoped to get a place on the back of the truck.They went to some Quarry fishing ,made bikes out of different bits,had catapults .We could go anywhere really as long as we came back at the given time,if we didnt we had to stay in the next say.Good days with good friends.

[somme1916]

keyholekate wrote: As a kid growing up in the 60's we used to go all over the place,even further if I was with my sister. My mother used to say "gerrout and play" if we stayed round the house too much.We lived in Cross Gates and I remember been very small and going to the feast on Station Road,we never had any money but we used to jump on the waltzers as it was slowing down.A bunch of us would often go to Tempsy. . boys and girls from our street. . almost all the boys had a penknife and would play at distance throwing them in the mud and carving trees.We knocked on doors and asked for a drink of water.Same at Roundy,often sneaking in to events and covered in sticky buds,we acted about in the boats,drank out of the fountain,fell in nettles and rubbed it better with a dock leaf.And walked all the way back through fields and woods and over main roads.Another place we walked to was Treats ice cream factory at Manston,someone always gave us broken lollies,we ate windfalls from peoples gardens on the way back too.The valley was another place to play,there were rope swings and hay dens and a horse even,the lads used to get on it,other kids were there too and someone would try to duff you up if you were a catlick and they were a proddy dog! We even used to to walk at the side of the railway to get blackberries. . its a wonder we are alive today.We went to the Olympics swimming,York Road baths before that.We played hide and seek in Asda's underground car park until my brother collapsed with carbon monoxide poisoning and got took off in an ambulance. Cross Gates library was nice and warm on winter nights,we even took our shoes off and put them by the fire.We slid about the shiny floors . My brothers used to go miles on their bikes and to Elland Road to pay on the gate.They went pea pickin with "fat Harry"as everyone called him in charge and hoped to get a place on the back of the truck.They went to some Quarry fishing ,made bikes out of different bits,had catapults .We could go anywhere really as long as we came back at the given time,if we didnt we had to stay in the next say.Good days with good friends. ha ha,that made me laugh....we grew up in same decade.Them sticky buds were terrible to get outta your hair ! trick was to chuck 'em on to jumpers/coats when ur mate's back was turned ! Dens,swings,blackberries,peas,crab apples(groan),pears,cherrys(yes).And pen knives....mmmmm would play dare in between fingers on hand and see who got stabbed first and throw from a yard or so between each others feet,each time you'd move ur feet closer together where the knife landed 'til somebody chickened.Favourite was to put old pennies on train track to squash 'em out flat ! walk along,over rails up to Tingley gasworks(smell.....uuugh),lots of trains about then,mainly coal shunts from many nearby collieries.We'd take "sides" 'n have juicy stick fights(bamboo with clumps of earth at the base),boy,did they hurt if you kopped one on yer head.Jam'n bread sarnies to keep you going.Swimming in quarries near Morley,rummaging about on the tip for bargains(found an expensive,working camera once),taking pop bottles back that you rummaged about for,for the deposit....good get rich,quick scheme for pop 'n crisps.Lining other bottles up on a wall and throwin stones at 'em.Nature trails,turning over stones to watch ants,see small field mice(try 'n catch 'em),investigating wasp nests....dodgy practice.Nesting...(frowned upon now,but all part 'o growin up then),sitting on road embankments making faces at passing cars 'n all blowing furiously when a 3 wheeler came past ! Conker fights(soak in vinegar to make 'em hard),climbing highest trees possible to prove yoursen,shiverin in cold cafe at Wakefield baths with a bag 'o crisps 'n a plastic cup of oxo(treat).......don't even mention Bonfire night 'n fireworks ! (throwin bangers at each other etc).....yes,you could do a lot back then...and much,much more-cheap entertainment.    

[raveydavey]

keyholekate wrote: As a kid growing up in the 60's we used to go all over the place,even further if I was with my sister. My mother used to say "gerrout and play" if we stayed round the house too much.We lived in Cross Gates and I remember been very small and going to the feast on Station Road,we never had any money but we used to jump on the waltzers as it was slowing down.A bunch of us would often go to Tempsy. . boys and girls from our street. . almost all the boys had a penknife and would play at distance throwing them in the mud and carving trees.We knocked on doors and asked for a drink of water.Same at Roundy,often sneaking in to events and covered in sticky buds,we acted about in the boats,drank out of the fountain,fell in nettles and rubbed it better with a dock leaf.And walked all the way back through fields and woods and over main roads.Another place we walked to was Treats ice cream factory at Manston,someone always gave us broken lollies,we ate windfalls from peoples gardens on the way back too.The valley was another place to play,there were rope swings and hay dens and a horse even,the lads used to get on it,other kids were there too and someone would try to duff you up if you were a catlick and they were a proddy dog! We even used to to walk at the side of the railway to get blackberries. . its a wonder we are alive today.We went to the Olympics swimming,York Road baths before that.We played hide and seek in Asda's underground car park until my brother collapsed with carbon monoxide poisoning and got took off in an ambulance. Cross Gates library was nice and warm on winter nights,we even took our shoes off and put them by the fire.We slid about the shiny floors . My brothers used to go miles on their bikes and to Elland Road to pay on the gate.They went pea pickin with "fat Harry"as everyone called him in charge and hoped to get a place on the back of the truck.They went to some Quarry fishing ,made bikes out of different bits,had catapults .We could go anywhere really as long as we came back at the given time,if we didnt we had to stay in the next say.Good days with good friends. Hi Kate!Would it have been Chippies Quarry, near Scholes where they went fishing?

[keyholekate]

That's the one Ravey. . Chippie Quarry!

[jonleeds]

I can remember in Morley all the 'bigger boys' used to go swimming and diving at Pawsons quarry off Brittannia Road. I dont know if its still there is it? I went up there a few times but never went in the water, it was a funny milky green colour! You always heard horror stories about weeds 'pulling you under' and when that 'Spirit of dark and lonely waters' advert came on the telly that really put the fear of god in us...